Chapter 10 Stir-fried River Shrimp

The hand-pulled noodles are chewy and springy, topped with braised pork offal, and the aroma of the broth fills the entire courtyard.

Qiao Mianmian held the bowl, taking a bite of noodles and a bite of kimchi. The sour and spicy kimchi was just right to cut through the greasiness. "Fourth Sister, eat more."

"Hmm, I'm going to eat two bowls today!" Lin Xiahe's mouth was greasy from eating. The family stopped mentioning Yuan Qiang and went about their business as usual.

After the meal, Qiao Mianmian continued to braise pork offal, while Lin Xiahe helped clean the yard. When she saw Wu Ermao arrive, she called out, "Brother Ermao, are you here to see my brothers?"

"No, my mother said that while I was away, the neighbors took good care of us. I came to bring everyone some cured meat. My mother is treating everyone to a meal in three days." Wu Ermao placed the cured meat on the table.

Lin Xiahe heard from her family that Wu Ermao had become a centurion. "Congratulations, Ermao-ge! I'll tell my mother and the others."

They grew up in the same alley and have known each other since they were little. Wu Ermao looked dark and strong, but he didn't talk much. When they were little, Lin Xiahe would take Wu Ermao to find people to fight. Later, when they got a little older, her mother said that girls should act like girls, so she gradually stopped playing with the boys in the alley.

"You're coming too?" Wu Ermao scratched his head. "I'm leaving now."

Lin Xiahe carried the cured meat to the kitchen, where her mother and grandmother were present. She told them about the Wu family's upcoming banquet.

Madam Lin sighed, "Er Mao has really made something of himself. He's quite the centurion, even more capable than his father. When he was about to join the army, Aunt Wu cried and cried, but thankfully he came back safely."

For ordinary people like them, being able to become a centurion is a very good thing; otherwise, the Lin family wouldn't have been so eager for Yuan Qiang to become their son-in-law.

Zhang asked Lin to prepare a red envelope, saying, "You and Mancang can go eat. There are so many people at home, it's not appropriate for everyone to go."

Lin nodded and continued cooking the pork offal rice. "Mianmian, Xiahe, you two go and rest. There's nothing else to do in the kitchen."

Lin Xiahe didn't leave. "I'm not tired. I didn't do anything today. Mianmian, you go wash up first." There was too much work to do at home, and she felt bad just watching her family do it.

Qiao Mianmian was indeed exhausted. She spent her days braising and selling pork offal, working non-stop. These past few days, she had been falling asleep as soon as she hit the bed. "I'll go wash my face first," she said.

There was no scented soap at home, and only water to wash their faces. Lin Shi tried to save every penny she could. Qiao Mianmian rinsed her face a few extra times while washing it, thinking that she still needed to earn more money, otherwise life would be too difficult.

For the next three days, the Qiao family lived as usual, and the neighbors did not talk about Yuan Qiang in front of Lin Xiahe.

On the day of the banquet at the Wu family's house, Qiao Mancang went over early in the morning to help slaughter the pig, while Lin Shi went to wash dishes and chop vegetables. With two less laborers at home, Qiao Mianmian didn't set up her stall and only prepared the amount ordered from Chunxilou Restaurant.

Qiao Mianmian and her older brother delivered braised pork offal to Chunxi Restaurant and introduced the restaurant's braised vegetarian dishes and braised pig's head to Manager Sun.

“Some people don’t eat pork offal, especially those who frequent restaurants. They definitely have more money than those who go to street stalls. Try this braised pig’s head and pig’s trotters. They’re all braised the same way, but the taste is different.” Qiao Mianmian enthusiastically promoted her products. “If you like them, you can try selling them first.”

They all use the same braising method and taste the same. Manager Sun tried a piece of braised pig's head meat. It was fatty but not greasy, fragrant with a hint of spiciness. Dipped in the secret sauce brought by Qiao Mianmian, it was sour, spicy and appetizing, perfect for drinking with alcohol.

"No need to try, I trust your skills." Manager Sun had worked at Chunxi Restaurant for so many years and knew that restaurants needed signature dishes as well as new ones. "Give me forty servings of braised pig's head, and as for pig's trotters, four a day is fine for now. It's hot, they won't keep well. Once they sell well, I'll see how much more to add."

Qiao Mianmian sells a serving of pig's head for forty-five copper coins, and a pig's trotter for eighty copper coins. After half a month, her net profit can reach eighteen taels of silver, which is about the same as selling braised pig offal.

All told, just delivering braised food to Chunxi Restaurant could earn her over seventy taels of silver a month, not even counting the profits from her own stall. However, Qiao Mianmian had also calculated that Chunxi Restaurant made much more money selling braised food than she did, which made her even more eager to own her own restaurant.

"Big brother, it's still early, shall we go see Fourth Sister?" Although Fourth Sister has been smiling lately, Qiao Mianmian can hear her sobbing at night. She bought a bag of shortbread, thinking of letting Fourth Sister take it and share it.

When the two arrived at the embroidery room, they learned that Fourth Sister was working in the backyard, so they went to find her on their own.

"I want herbal tea. Who drinks hot tea in the middle of summer? Lin Xiahe, you're just a janitor. Do you think you can become an embroiderer just by listening at the door?"

"Jiayue, stop talking. Xiahe is in a bad mood. Please understand."

"Why can't I speak? She should do her job properly. Instead of doing her job well, she wants to steal the skills of an embroiderer. She really doesn't know her place!" Hao Jiayue retorted, not letting up.

Lin Xiahe clenched her fists. She had prepared tea as usual, but Hao Jiayue had always disliked her and had deliberately found something wrong with it. If it weren't for the two taels of silver a month, she wouldn't put up with Hao Jiayue's temper.

She fought back tears, "Okay, it was my fault, I'll come earlier tomorrow..."

Before Lin Xiahe could finish speaking, Qiao Mianmian ran over and grabbed her hand, "Fourth Sister, we're quitting. From now on, you can stay home and work with me, instead of suffering here!"

Qiao Jiawang glared at Hao Jiayue. He was a man and didn't want to argue with a woman, so he chimed in, "That's right, Fourth Sister, you shouldn't do it anymore!"

"How can this be?" Lin Xiahe was anxious. It wasn't easy to find work in Lin'an City. In order to get a job in the embroidery room, her mother had to take her to deliver things to the embroidery room manager, smile and beg for the job. "Mianmian, don't pull me. This is a small matter. I'm fine."

"What a trivial matter! You were being pointed at and scolded, and you call that a trivial matter?" Qiao Mianmian couldn't swallow her anger. "I'm serious. I closed another deal with Manager Sun of Chunxilou today, and we need someone to do the work at home. Instead of you suffering here, you should come home and work together as a family. If we want to drink herbal tea or hot tea in the future, we can have someone serve us!"

Qiao Mianmian used all her strength to pull her fourth sister, and even called on her eldest brother to help.

After the Qiao family left, Zhou Zeyi, who had just spoken up for Lin Xiahe, looked at Hao Jiayue and sighed, "Jiayue, we're all women, why do you have to make things difficult for people like this? You don't know Xiahe... Never mind, it's no use talking to you, you won't listen."

After saying that, she chased after her, afraid that Lin Xiahe might really act impulsively and refuse, and then it would be difficult for her to come back. "Xiahe, wait for me."

"Sister, my fourth sister really doesn't want to do it anymore." After leaving the embroidery room, Qiao Mianmian emphasized again that her family needed help, and even took out the contract to show her fourth sister, which finally persuaded her. "Thank you for speaking up for my fourth sister. My family recently set up a braised pork offal stall. Sister, if you have time, come and visit, and I'll bring you some braised pork offal to eat."

"Really, Xia He?" Zhou Zeyi looked at Lin Xia He. They had spent several years together in the embroidery room and were very familiar with each other's homes.

Lin Xiahe nodded and said, "Thank you, Sister Zhou. Please tell the person in charge that I will help out when I go home in the future."

"Alright, it's good that you have work to do at home," Zhou Zeyi said. "You're a strong-willed person, so live well from now on. If you need anything else, come find me."

They all came out to make a living just to have food to eat; life is hard for everyone.

After saying goodbye to Zhou Zeyu, Lin Xiahe felt increasingly uneasy as she got closer to home. "Mianmian, do you think Mom will beat me if she finds out?"

Two taels of silver a month isn't much, but it's enough for her to eat and drink, and she can save some for herself.

“No, Fourth Sister, Mother is very soft-hearted. If you shed a tear, she won’t be able to scold you.” Qiao Mianmian held her Fourth Sister’s hand. “Besides, the family really needs help. Grandpa and Grandma are getting old. We can’t let them work hard every day. It’s time for them to enjoy their retirement.”

As they spoke, the three siblings arrived at their doorstep. Lin Xiahe was hesitant to go in, but Qiao Mianmian called out "Mother!" before Lin Shi in the courtyard looked over.

Upon learning that her daughter was no longer working in the embroidery room, Madam Lin immediately glared at her. But when she heard that her daughter had been bullied, Madam Lin jumped up and grabbed a wooden stick, shouting, "Damn it! I don't even dare to scold her myself, so why is she bullying my Xiahe?"

She was about to rush out when Po Po came over and pulled her back. Her daughter comforted her from the side, and she finally sat down with red eyes. "You silly girl, why didn't you say anything when you were wronged? I love money, but I won't force you to suffer."

"I..." Lin Xiahe had just opened her mouth when tears instantly fell.

Mrs. Lin hugged her daughter tightly, "My dear Xiahe, we're not going. Mianmian is right, the family business is good, you can help out at home."

Zhang echoed, "Yes, Mianmian feels sorry for us old folks."

She glanced at Qiao Youfu beside her before he spoke, "Yes, let's do it that way."

Once the family had reached an agreement, Lin Xiahe breathed a sigh of relief. "Mom, Mianmian is amazing. She closed another deal today."

"You are just as good. You are all my good daughters." The fourth daughter went to work in the embroidery room at a young age and never complained to the family. Now, when Lin thinks about it, she feels very guilty.

Just as the Qiao family was enjoying a warm and cozy time, Wu Ermao brought over a braised pork knuckle, saying, "Don't mind the leftovers from the meal."

"No, you've already given me cured meat, how can I ask for your pork knuckle?" Lin wasn't that generous herself, so she felt embarrassed to accept gifts. But as soon as she finished speaking, Wu Ermao put it down and left.

Seeing him like this, Madam Lin had a terrible headache. It was Madam Zhang who spoke up, "Jiawang, your grandfather brought back some river shrimp today. Take a bowl of them to the Wu family."

Qiao Jiawang obediently went to the Wu family. At this moment, Aunt Wu frowned at her son and said, "You are so generous. That was something I specially kept for my own family to eat. Those who know you understand that you are on good terms with the Qiao brothers, but those who don't might think you want to be someone's son-in-law, sending food over all day long."

"Mom, we've been getting along well with all the neighbors." Wu Ermao chuckled, and Qiao Jiawang brought in the river shrimp.

Aunt Wu didn't stand on ceremony and took the river shrimp to cook, while Wu Ermao pulled Qiao Jiawang aside to talk.

At this moment, the Qiao family was also cooking. Qiao Mianmian fried the river shrimp in rapeseed oil until the skin was golden brown, then added minced ginger and chives to stir-fry. She only used a little soy sauce and cooking wine as seasonings. The complicated cooking method masked the freshness of the river shrimp.

After a quick stir-fry, the stir-fried chives and river shrimp were ready. The pork knuckle Wu Ermao brought just needed a quick heat, and she could also make an egg drop soup before dinner was served.

Of the family, Qiao Jiaxing was the most enthusiastic eater. He devoured small river shrimp one after another, not even spitting out the shells. "The shrimp shells are crispy and delicious. But they only absorb the flavor when dipped in the broth. The chives have the fresh aroma of shrimp, and the texture is smooth and refreshing. Mother, why don't you set up a stall for Fifth Sister? I won't go to the dock to carry goods anymore; I'll work with her too."

Qiao Mancang laughed, "What can you do? You can't even cook."

“I can run errands and call out to customers, and I can also carry loads and wash dishes. I can’t cook, but I can do a lot of other things. Dad, don’t look down on me. If you really set up the stall, Fifth Sister can just cook the dishes, and I’ll take care of everything else. I guarantee the business will be booming.” Qiao Jiaxing was serious. Carrying goods at the dock was hard work, and he couldn’t do it for the rest of his life. He wouldn’t be able to save any money.

Unlike his brother, who only knew how to work hard, he didn't just come home every day asking what he wanted to eat. He had his own agenda. Only by earning more money could the family afford a bigger house, and only then would he have a chance to get married.

Otherwise, like the Wang family, whose five sons are still single, Widow Wang is almost driven to despair.

Qiao Mianmian felt the same way, but the elders in her family stopped agreeing and changed the subject.

That night, Qiao Youfu thought his second grandson's words made sense. "Why don't you persuade Lin Shi to help set up the family business before Mianmian gets married?"

“Setting up a stall? It’s not that easy.” Zhang was dissatisfied with her husband’s idea. “Lin has saved every penny she has. You want her to use all of it to set up a stall? What if she loses money? How will she face her family? You’re the father-in-law. If you can’t make a lot of money yourself, don’t put pressure on the younger generation. Just live your own life.”

"Alright, alright, I got it. You're so considerate." Qiao Youfu turned around, his back to Zhang Shi.

“I’m doing this for the sake of this family. Everyone’s of marriageable age. Since we have the Chunxilou business, if we save up a little longer, we can eventually buy a bigger house.” Madam Zhang blew out the oil lamp. “Also, if something like Yuan Qiang happens again, as the head of the family, you have to step up and help the family. Xia He isn’t our biological daughter, but we’ve watched her grow up. She and Wang Chun are both kind-hearted people. If you treat them well, they’ll remember it.”

"Oh, I already said I know. Go to sleep, I still have to go down to the river to set nets tomorrow." Qiao Youfu said, pretending to snore, clearly not wanting to listen anymore.

Lin and Qiao Mancang, separated by a wall, were also awake. Lin sighed, "It's my fault for being incompetent. We're struggling to make ends meet. Next year, Jiawang is getting married, and I don't even know where we should stay."

“You’ve done a great job. Our family is much better off than others. Look at the eldest son of the Wang family, he’s already twenty-six and still not engaged. If we can’t afford a bigger house, we can just rent one. The house across the hall isn’t always empty. I’ll go to the Zhang family’s place another day. We can’t afford to buy it, but we can rent it for now.” Qiao Mancang patted his wife’s arm, signaling her not to worry.

The Zhang family, who lived across from the Qiao family, got involved in the tea business a couple of years ago. After their business prospered, they moved away, leaving their three rooms empty.

It's good to be able to rent it; it's better than renting somewhere even further away. We used to be neighbors, so maybe we can get a discount.

"That's the only way," Lin said.

They thought that since they had informed the Zhang family so far in advance, there shouldn't be any problems. However, when they woke up the next morning, they found that the door across the hall was open.

It was Zhang's youngest son who brought people over. He coughed while pinching his nose, "It's Uncle Qiao and Aunt Qiao! You've come at the right time. I was just planning to come find you later. My house has been sold, and the buyer is an official. Our alley is going to be much more prestigious from now on."